Snap-hook.



C. F. CUMIVHNS.

SNAP HOOK.

APPLICATION men MAR. 25, ms.

Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

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WITNESSES;

' ATTORNEY l nNiTED sTArns 1 Eur enrol 1 'oHAnLEs 1*. contains, orSPOKANE, WASHINGTON, 'ASUSIGVNOR or oNnHA'nF ro f EDWARD JAMES, orPLUMMER, IDAHO.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

Application filed March 25, 1918. Serial No. 224,530.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLEs F. CUMMINs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Spokane, in the county of Spokane and State of Washington,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Snap- Hooks, ofwhich the following is a specifi cation.

The present invention relates to improvements in snap hooks, andparticularly to locking means therefor, to prevent opening of the lockedhook.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an eflioient,inexpensive, but simple device that is facile in operation, and durablein service, in the performance of its functions.

The invention consists essentially in certain novel combinations of alocking sleeve slidable on the hook, as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings one complete example of the physicalembodiment of the invention is illustrated, and a slight modificationthereof is also shown, constructed according to the best modes so fardevised for the practical application of the principles of theinvention.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a snap hook embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the hook of Fig. l, with the slidablelocking sleeve in section for convenience of illustration.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, showing parts in section, of amodified form of the invention.

The invention is applicable for use in connection with the well knownand standard types of snap hooks or trace hook and in the drawingsherewith the usual loop 1 and curved hook portion 2 are shown, the prongor lug 3 being provided at the curled or hooked end 2 of the device, andthe elastic or resilient spring tongue 4 co-acts in customary mannerwith the hook end 3, lying snugly up against the inner surface of theprong or lug when the hook is locked or snapped to an object, and bydepressing the spring tongue the device is readily unhooked.

To prevent accidental displacement or depression of the spring tongue,the slidable locking sleeve 5 is employed and surrounds the tongue, andthe prong 3 when in locked position. The sleeve is slidable on thetongue and is provided at one end with a knob or handle 6 by means ofwhich it may be manipulated with facility in locking or unlocking thehook. A helical spring 7 of the protractile type surrounds the tonguebetween the sleeve 5 and the shoulder 8 of the hook, and this springnormally holds the sleeve in hooked position, urging it against theshoulder 2 at the base of the prong 3 of the hook, a cut out 5 beingpresent in the sleeve.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 2, the hook is designated 2 havingthe end prong 3 while the spring tongue 4 is slotted as at a and thesleeve 5 engages against the shoulder 2*. A handle 6 is provided on thesleeve, and the spring 7 is located in the sleeve between the end wall 9of a slot in the tongue and a turned in lug 10 forming part of thesleeve, the tendency of the spring being to urge the sleeve against theshoulder 2 of the hook.

When the snap hook is to be opened, in either form of the inventionillustrated, the thumb is placed on the handle and the sleeve withdrawn,the out out 5 riding down on the prong 3 to guide the sleeve, and at thesame time pressure is placed on the sleeve to depress the tongue 4, or44 as the case maybe, and the hook may be snapped over an object. Thesleeve is then released and the spring returns the sleeve to lockedposition as the resiliency or elasticity of the tongue returns thetongue and sleeve to position in Fig. 2. The cut out 5 enables thesleeve to slide or snap quickly over the point of the prong 3 or 3 andthe parts are accurately guided to position. With the sleeve in theposition indicated in the figures of drawing it will readily be evidentthat the tongue is held securely locked against depression within theopening of the snap hook and cannot accidently be displaced, but thesleeve may be unlocked with facility and 'despatch when desired to openthe hook.

Claims 1. The combination with a snap hook and its spring tongue, of aslidable looking sleeve inelosing the tongue and the end of the hook,and a spring engaging the sleeve to hold it in locked position.

2. The combination with a snap hook and its spring, tongue of a slideblelocking sleeve inclosing the tongue and the. end of the hook,

said sleeve having a cut-out guide portion at one end to ride over theend of the hook, and, a helical spring inelosing the spring tongue andinterposed between the sleeve and a fixed portion of the hook.

In. testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CHARLES" F. CU'M'MINS.

Uopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G.

